2017 & 2018 Medicare Plans & Medicare Enrollment Information

Most Common Misconceptions About Medicare For 2018

Signing up for health insurance is tough enough without realizing too late that you missed an important step. Medicare is no different. The senior entitlement program that currently provides health insurance for over 58 million people in the U.S. comes with its own mile-long list of rules to follow. Forgetting or ignoring this list could keep you from maximizing your benefits. Even worse, it could leave you on the hook for thousands of dollars in unpaid claims or facing high monthly premiums with added penalties. There are plenty of myths surrounding Medicare, but the following myths could cost you – in more ways than one. Here are eight misconceptions that you might believe about Medicare and the truth behind them.

#1 – You can sign up or make changes anytime.

Like any other type of health insurance, Medicare has enrollment periods. The primary enrollment period starts three months before the month you turn 65. If your birthday is June 12, then your enrollment period starts on March 1. It ends three months after the month you turn 65, so in our scenario here, that means it would end on September 30 for you. In other words, you get seven full months to sign up for Medicare when you first become eligible.

If you don’t sign up for Medicare when you first become eligible, then you could face penalty fees if you decide to enroll later. There are special enrollment provisions, though. Those who aren’t retired at 65 and want to keep job-based health insurance can keep it until they retire or lose the coverage, which triggers a special enrollment period.

January 1 to February 14: This is when you can unenroll from a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan and enroll in original Medicare.

January 1 to March 31: This is the general enrollment period for Medicare. If you don’t have Medicare coverage at all, your initial signup period has ended, and you don’t qualify for a special enrollment period, then this is when you can sign up for original Medicare (Parts A and B, not Medicare Advantage).

April 1 to June 30: During this period, you can add a Part D prescription drug plan if you signed up for Medicare Part B during the general enrollment window. You can also use this period to sign up for Medicare Advantage if you have Part A already and used the general enrollment period to enroll in Part B.

October 15 to December 7: This is the open enrollment period, which differs from general enrollment. There are several things you can do during this period, including change from original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, join a Part D plan, switch from an Advantage plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage to one that does, and drop your Part D coverage altogether.

Pay close attention to when you can sign up for Medicare for the first time. This will be your best shot for securing the plan that you want without having to worry about penalty fees for missing your enrollment window.

#2 – Original Medicare is your only option.

Original Medicare, which was established in 1965, sought to ensure that seniors would have access to low-cost health insurance after they retired. Before the program got started, aging Americans had trouble finding affordable coverage at a time when they needed it most. Medicare changed that. And while it’s a great program that has stood the test of time, it’s not your only option. You can sign up for a private plan under Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C.

Medicare Advantage (MA) was introduced in 1997 and has been gaining popularity ever since, particularly in the last decade. In 2017, a third of Medicare enrollees (33%) chose private plans over original Medicare. These plans are sold through private insurance companies. By law, they must cover the same essential services as Medicare Parts A and B. But where original Medicare excludes a host of covered benefits, Medicare Advantage offers more robust coverage in many cases.

Costs vary for MA plans, but you’ll have an out-of-pocket maximum (OOP) if you choose this route. The OOP limits how much you’ll have to spend of your own money on covered benefits for the plan year. In 2018, the limit is $6,700 – again, that’s the maximum. Each company sets its own limit up to the maximum allowable amount. For people with heavy medical costs, having a cap on out-of-pocket expenses is beneficial. Original Medicare doesn’t set a cap.

There are other benefits and drawbacks to Medicare Advantage, so read the fine print carefully before signing up for a plan. Original Medicare could work well for you, but you should know that a private option exists that may offer better features at better rates.

#3 – You’ll get enrolled automatically when you turn 65.

This is true for a select portion of Medicare enrollees. There are four reasons you might get automatically enrolled into Medicare:

You’re under 65 and have a disability;

You have ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease);

You already receive benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board; or

You live in Puerto Rico and get benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.

People who qualify for automatic enrollment will get a Medicare card in the mail either the 25th month of disability payments or three months before they turn 65, whichever applies to their situation. Even if you’re automatically enrolled, you can opt out of Part A or B by letting Social Security know that you don’t want the coverage.

There’s also a process called seamless conversion that allows private health insurers to automatically enroll current customers into their Medicare Advantage plans once customers become eligible as long as the companies give notice to customers about the conversion. As you’re nearing 65, check your mail carefully for a notice like this. You can opt out of automatic enrollment.

Barring seamless conversion into Medicare Advantage or one of the conditions listed above, you will need to sign up for Medicare. Generally, it doesn’t happen automatically.

#4 – You won’t have to pay anything.

Because Medicare is administered by the federal government, some people think it’s a free entitlement program. It’s not. Medicare is a low-cost health insurance option that includes premiums, deductibles, copayments, coinsurance and more. How much you pay for Parts A and B depends on your work history and income level. In general:

Most people do not pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance). This is because work-based taxes pay for this portion of Medicare. If you don’t have enough work credits, then you may be charged a monthly premium for Part A. This isn’t common.

Medicare Part B requires a monthly premium from everyone, but the amount varies based on your income level and when you sign up. The average monthly premium for new enrollees in 2017 was $134 for people (single tax filers) who earn up to $85,000 a year. Above that threshold, Medicare charges more per month for Part B. The highest earners ($160,000 a year as a single filer in 2018) pay the most. Medicare uses tax records from two years prior to calculate your monthly premiums. In 2018, your income from 2016 will be used to determine your premium tier.

Along with monthly premiums for Part B, Parts A and B both include cost-sharing, meaning you will be responsible for a portion of your medical bills after Medicare pays its share based on your plan. Medicare Advantage, which is sold through private companies, also costs money, and amounts vary by plan. Part D prescription drug coverage includes a monthly premium and cost-sharing as well. Bottom line: Medicare isn’t free.

#5 – Medicare covers all of your healthcare services.

No health insurance plan will cover 100 percent of your medical care, and Medicare is no exception. Original Medicare covers many services related to hospital and skilled nursing care (Part A) and medical care (Part B). Trips to the doctor, hospitalization, annual wellness screenings, lab testing, durable medical equipment and other types of essential health benefits are also covered since these services are mandated by the Affordable Care Act.

But there are gaps in coverage that you would need to supplement with a Medigap policy, Part D prescription drug coverage or a Medicare Advantage plan. Traditional Medicare does not cover things like long-term (custodial) care, eye exams for prescriptions, cosmetic surgery, routine foot care or acupuncture. Dental care, including dentures, and hearing aids and hearing aid exams are also notable exclusions from original Medicare.

Don’t assume that your Medicare plan covers all of the services that you’ll need, particularly if you’re enrolled in original Medicare. Evaluate your needs ahead of time so you can put the right coverage in place. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay for uncovered benefits completely out of pocket.

#6 – You don’t have to worry about Medicare if you have a marketplace plan.

This is an important fact to get right. If you’re eligible for Medicare but you’ve chosen not to sign up because you have a plan through an Obamacare marketplace, there are some things you need to know.

Marketplace enrollees who are eligible for Medicare cannot get tax subsidies to reduce the cost of monthly premiums. Once you’re eligible for Medicare, you will stop receiving subsidies. This could make your monthly premiums for the exchange plan unaffordable.

Your health insurance company could deny claims if you’re eligible for Medicare because they deem certain services as Medicare’s responsibility.

If you decide to enroll in Medicare after your eligibility window closes, you may be charged penalty fees – and some penalties last for as long as you have Medicare. Having a marketplace plan does not excuse you from the penalty fees associated with late enrollment.

This latter point is a big concern, to the point that Medicare is addressing the problem this summer. Thousands of seniors miss their initial eligibility window each year, but officials and consumer advocates are concerned that part of the reason is that people assume that having a marketplace plan will prevent them from incurring fees if they enroll in Medicare after the fact. This isn’t true. Unless you have job-sponsored coverage or approved special circumstances, you must enroll in Medicare during your initial eligibility if you want to avoid paying fees later.

Earlier this year, Medicare implemented a waiver program for people who didn’t sign up for Medicare when they could because they erroneously believed that their marketplace coverage would protect them from fees if they signed up later. The deadline to apply for a waiver from penalty fees and the late enrollment waiting period was September 30.

One important thing to note is that while insurers can – and are required to – cancel the subsidies for your marketplace plan once you become eligible for Medicare, they are prohibited from canceling your coverage. That means you could be charged the higher, unsubsidized premium once you become eligible for Medicare. If you have a marketplace plan and you reach Medicare eligibility, talk to a health insurer adviser about your options.

#7 – Medicare is bankrupt.

You may have heard that Medicare is out of money. Rest assured that it’s not – at least not yet. It is true that a portion of original Medicare’s finances are in trouble, especially if the government doesn’t implement appropriate changes to funding, taxation or benefits soon. But the program itself is far from bankrupt. In 2015, the Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund had a balance of $197.3 billion. That same year, expenditures hit nearly $279 million, most of which got funded through payroll taxes and interest on the fund itself. Medicare only had to take $3.5 billion from the reserves to cover the deficit.

Drawing $3.5 billion from a limited reserve isn’t a good thing, but it’s a far cry from bankruptcy. Still, estimates assert that the trust fund will be depleted by 2028. At that point, tax revenue will be the only source of income for the program unless changes get made before then. Once the trust fund goes insolvent, Medicare Part A will operate at 87 percent financing. This 13 percent cut to Part A, the hospital portion of Medicare, could be especially burdensome to beneficiaries. It translates to thousands of dollars a year in added out-of-pocket expenses. Changes to the program are already being discussed to prevent this worst-case scenario. These could include increasing the eligibility age, raising payroll taxes or cutting benefits, among other things.

When discussing Medicare’s finances, it’s also important to note that we’re only talking about Part A funding. Medicare Parts B gets funded from the Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund, which includes general revenue and beneficiary premiums. Part B’s finances aren’t in trouble.

#8 – Healthcare reform will eliminate the program entirely.

Recent political unrest regarding healthcare reform cast doubt over the future of the Medicare program. To date, few politicians have addressed Medicare directly – other than to suggest that it be privatized – and none of the Republican-backed bills that went before Congress included specifics about the Medicare program. The focus has instead been on the private market for health insurance (non-group coverage) and Medicaid, which is the federal-state program for low-income Americans. Previous proposals, such as the AHCA, could have impacted Medicare indirectly because about 11 million Medicare enrollees are dual-eligible with Medicaid.

If you’re hesitant to sign up for Medicare because you think the program might be eliminated, don’t worry. Healthcare reform will not eliminate Medicare, not least of which because it’s a popular program among consumers regardless of political affiliation. Review your options for coverage, talk to a Medicare specialist who can answer your questions, and sign up as soon as you’re eligible to avoid penalty fees and a delay in appropriate health insurance.

Update: Please note that moving forward HealthNetwork will be continuously updating Medicare.net in the same manner in which we do our other informational websites. The homepage of Medicare.net will have constant updates with factual and important information regarding Medicare and any changes that we feel our readers should know about.

Welcome to Medicare.net, the premier HealthNetwork partner focused exclusively on providing Americans 65 or older with the very best access and information regarding their healthcare options when it comes to Medicare.

Navigating the waters of healthcare, especially Medicare can be particularly complicated. It’s important that you obtain information from a trusted resource, and if and when you need to speak with a licensed Medicare insurance professional, you can connect with one easily over the phone. If you would prefer to meet with a licensed Medicare specialist to have all of your questions answered in person, we can assist you with that. Simply call our toll free number to schedule an appointment.

Medicare was first created in 1965 and first implemented in 1966. The program as it existed before Obamacare worked well. But it still put many of our most treasured citizens over the age of 65 in a difficult financial position. They were not able to pay for the services or prescription medicines that they so desperately needed for a better quality of life.

An American over the age of 65 cannot sign up for a Medicare program through the Healthcare Marketplace. But the Obama Administration recognized the need to tweak many provisions of Medicare. This ensured that its participants were receiving the same exceptional care that other citizens are getting under the ACA. As a result, participants can now rest easier knowing that under Obamacare, they will automatically receive preventive care services for free and healthcare that meets a minimum coverage standard.

Who is eligible for Medicare?

Medicare is only available for certain people. Among these are:

Those over the age of 65

Those under the age of 65 who have a disability that qualifies them to get Social Security Income

Those who receive benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RBB)

Those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)

Those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (AML, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease)

Medicare.gov, the official governmental website for Medicare, offers a questionnaire to determine whether a person is eligible for Medicare benefits. People who receive benefits from Social Security or from the RRB are automatically enrolled in Medicare. However, those who qualify due to one of the previously mentioned illnesses must sign up for a Medicare policy.

Rediscovering Medicare 2018

Important Medicare updates for 2018 including costs, benefits, and requirements.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), as of July 2017, more than 58 million Americans are enrolled in this social health insurance program. This includes people 65, disabled people under 65 and those with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). With this huge consumer base comes equally huge costs. In 2016, Medicare accounted for 15 percent of the federal budget at about $588 billion. The Congressional Budget Office expects spending to top $590 billion in 2017 and jump to $1.2 trillion by 2027.

But with so many people relying on Medicare, this financial outlay is essential. As with any other government programs, Medicare is continually being examined and improved. This includes all four parts: Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), Part C (Medicare Advantage, private insurance plans) and Part D (prescription drug coverage). Changes made after the Affordable Care Act took effect in 2014 are some of the most significant changes to happen to the program, which has altered very little since its beginnings in 1965 under President Lyndon B. Johnson.

In 2016, updates to Medicare include new payment and pricing changes, including millions of enrollees being spared from enormous Part B premium increases. Other big changes involve coverage for specific procedures and end-of-life care and counseling and how patients receive medical care. These initiatives sought to redefine and improve the doctor-patient relationship, as well as Medicare enrollees’ overall experience.

Medicare Part B Increases Reduced for Millions

When it comes to Medicare 2017, everything you need to know right now about specific plan costs centers on financial relief. The Medicare Board of Trustees (the Board), which is responsible for the program’s financial health, revealed that Part B premiums and deductibles for an estimated 52 million enrollees’ (about 30 percent of all Part B members) would increase again in 2017.

There were three reasons for this:

Part B spending was higher than expected

Sufficient funding had to be reserved for the Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) Trust Fund

Lack of a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits in 2017.

Under Social Security’s hold harmless rule, certain Medicare enrollees don’t have to pay a higher premium for Part B if there’s no cost-of-living adjustment from Social Security. This rule applies to anyone who has Social Security deduct Part B premiums from their payments as well as other select Medicare beneficiaries; about 70 percent of program subscribers fall into the hold harmless group. These “hold harmless” members paid $109 a month for coverage in 2017.

The remaining 30 percent of enrollees include those applying for Medicare Part B for the first time; those not currently collecting Social Security benefits; those with premiums paid by Medicaid (dual eligible); and those paying additional income-related premiums. In 2017, certain single and joint tax filers have a standard monthly Part B premium of $134. People who earn above a certain threshold pay more for Part B coverage. Here is the breakdown for 2017.

$428.60 per month: Single filers earning $214,000 and up; Joint filers earning $428,000 and up

Income limits will change for 2018 to the following tiers:

Annual income (single filers)

Annual income (joint filers)

Tier 1

Up to $85,000

Up to $170,000

Tier 2

Between $85,001 and $107,000

Between $170,001 and $214,000

Tier 3

Between $107,001 and $133,500

Between $214,001 and $267,000

Tier 4

Between $133,501 and $160,000

Between $267,001 and $320,000

Tier 5

Over $160,000

Over $320,000

In November 2015, Congress passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-74) . This spared enrollees from the much higher premium increases. So, in 2016, they only paid 16 percent more for Part B premiums – – $121.80, rather than 2015’s $104.90.This also includes a $3 repayment surcharge that will be added to monthly premiums over time to cover 2016’s reduced premiums. The premium increase from 2016 to 2017 was approximately 10 percent.

Even even if you’re in the group that was spared from paying higher monthly premiums for Part B coverage, you may still have to pay higher annual deductibles, which were raised in 2017 to $183, up from $166 in 2016. The deductible hasn’t been released for 2018. After your deductible is met, you’ll only be responsible for about 20 percent for Medicare-approved services (the coinsurance rate).

End Of Life Care – A Big Concern For Medicare Recipients In 2017

In 2017, dramatic changes were made to end-of-life options for Medicare, primarily in availability of newer options and how patients were counseled. “End-of-life” refers to all healthcare provided in the days or years before death, no matter whether it’s sudden or due to a long-term terminal illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that of the 2.5 million people dying each year in the U.S., about 75 percent are ages 65 and older.

This makes Medicare the largest healthcare insurer during the last year of life. About 25 percent of all Medicare healthcare spending goes to these enrollees, many of whom have various serious and complex conditions. Medicare covers a host of services – both curative (for curing) and palliative (relieving pain, discomfort) – that can be utilized right up until a member’s death. Among these are care in hospitals and several other settings, home healthcare, physician services, diagnostic tests and prescription drug coverage.

Beneficiaries with a terminal illness also qualify for benefits that wouldn’t normally be covered under original Medicare, such as bereavement and hospice services. End-of-life services are controversial, due to their costs and the difficult discussions and issues surrounding them. Originally, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) authorized voluntary, personalized counseling. But due to public outcry, this provision was quickly removed from the healthcare law. However, Medicare has reinstated this counseling.

Hospice benefits also played a part in Medicare 2017 as it introduced the new Care Choices model. Previously, enrollees opting for hospice benefits had to give up most curative care. But the new model allows those with terminal illnesses to receive hospice services without giving up treatment. On Jan. 1, 2016, 70 hospices began offering these new services; another 70 will join in 2018. Medicare also began covering advance care planning as a separate and billable service in 2016. Advance planning involves discussions between healthcare providers and patients regarding end-of-life care and patient preferences.

Changes to ACO selection

Medicare focused on how medical care was delivered to patients in 2017. Key areas included teamwork among clinicians, particularly that of primary care doctors; the timeliness of preventive services; and patients transitions between hospital and home.

Medicare estimated that nearly 8 million beneficiaries (20 percent of original Medicare) were currently enrolled in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). ACOs are networks of doctors and hospitals with the goal of delivering better quality care at lower costs “Five years ago, there was minimal incentive to coordinate care,” said Patrick Conway, Medicare’s chief medical officer. “Physicians wanted to do well for their patients, but the financial incentives were completely aligned with volume.” With ACOs, networks get part of their reimbursement for meeting quality or cost targets; their long-term effectiveness is still being determined. But Medicare kicked off a major expansion in 2016. Enrollees could select their own ACO for the first time, and they can opt out if they preferred.

Joint Replacements’ Quality and Costs Examined

Another change to Medicare in 2016 was an experiment involving two types of joint replacements: hip and knee replacements. These are Medicare’s most common surgeries. In 2014, more than 400,000 beneficiaries received hip or knee replacements. The CMS estimated that these procedures cost more than $7 billion for the hospitalizations alone. And for Medicare, average costs can vary widely within different geographic areas, ranging from $16,500 to $33,000. In addition, these surgeries require long recovery and rehabilitation periods. Their actual quality, in and out of the hospital, can also vary depending on the area and facility.

As such, it’s understandable that efforts have been made to improve the procedures’ quality while keeping costs down. In April 2016, hospitals in 67 metro areas and communities will take part in an experiment designed to manage these procedures’ total costs. The 90-day experiment will begin with the patient’s initial doctor’s visit, and encompassed surgery and rehabilitation.

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Medicare Enrollment Information

What are the different types of Medicare policies?

MEDICARE PART A

Medicare Part A has been dubbed the “hospital insurance”. Having Medicare Part A alone is sufficient under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to comply with the minimum requirements. Despite that fact, Part A is usually used in combination with another insurance policy, such as Medicare Part B, which covers general medical services.

Part A – Original Medicare

‘Hospital Insurance’ that covers hospital care & prolonged stays.

PARTIAL COVERAGE FOR:

Ambulance Services

Inpatient Hospital Stay

Skilled Nursing Care

Hospice

Home Care

Mental Health Care

Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, hospice stays, home healthcare nurses, mental health inpatient stays and skilled nursing facility stays. The cost of inpatient hospital stays and mental health inpatient stays is explained in detail in the following paragraph. The participant must pay 20 percent of the total cost of home healthcare services and any necessary medical equipment; the Medicare Part A plan will pay the remainder.

Regarding hospice care, Medicare will cover quite a bit of these services, but it won’t cover everything. Check out this guide for more detailed information about how Medicare works with hospice.The cost to stay in a skilled nursing facility varies per day. Day 1 through 20 is included in your policy. Day 21 through 100 will cost $164.50 per day and any day beyond 101 must be paid entirely by the participant.

For inpatient hospital stays, Medicare requires patients to be admitted for two consecutive midnights for medically necessary reasons before it will pay a claim. You will also need to meet a deductible for the year ($1,316 in 2017) before your benefits start.

Under original Medicare, Part A covers the first 60 days of your hospital stay with no additional copayment (once you meet the deductible). From days 61 to 90, you’ll be responsible for a copay per day. In 2017, the per-day copay is $329. After day 90, you’ll have to use your “lifetime reserve days” to cover any additional time, but you only get 60 of these days period. During the lifetime reserve days, you’ll pay a copay per day ($658 in 2017). Once you’ve used up your reserve days, Medicare will not cover any additional hospital stays. With the exception of lifetime reserve days, your benefits will start over once the plan year ends and a new one starts.

Unless medically necessary, Medicare Part A will not cover the costs of a private duty nurse, a private room, or any extra perks during a hospital stay, such as television, phone or personal care items. In addition to the actual bed and medical care, Part A will also cover the cost of meals, general nursing care, medicines prescribed while in the hospital, inpatient rehab facilities and mental health care.

You should enroll for Medicare Part A when you first become eligible. Eligibility factors are:

Those eligible due to age may first enroll three months before their 65th birthday, during the month of their 65th birthday, and for the three months following their 65th birthday, for a total of seven months. Those eligible due to receiving disability benefits will be automatically enrolled into original Medicare (Parts A and B) on the 25th month of receiving disability benefits.

If you miss the deadline for original Medicare, you can enroll during the general enrollment period, which runs from January 1 and March 31 each year. If you don’t enroll in Part A when you’re first eligible, and you don’t qualify for premium-free Part A (most people don’t pay a premium), then you may be charged a penalty fee for signing up later. There are also special circumstances that will trigger a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This allows a participant to enroll outside of the normal deadlines.

Special enrollment periods vary depending on your circumstances. For instance, you might have good coverage through your job when you turn 65, and you don’t want to lose it by signing up for Medicare. Once you leave your job or lose that work-based coverage, you’ll have eight months to sign up for Medicare without incurring the penalty for late enrollment. Other SEPs exist for other times in your life, like moving to a new area or finding a higher-rated plan.

In order to sign up for Medicare Part A, you can either call directly or visit your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. Although the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) manages Medicare, it utilizes Social Security offices to carry out the enrollment process. For Medicare Advantage, you’ll need to contact a broker or find a policy directly through the company of your choice.

MEDICARE PART B

Medicare Part B is referred to as the “medical insurance”. Having Part B alone is NOT sufficient to meet the minimum standard mandated under Obamacare. It must be combined with Part A or another healthcare policy in order to avoid a tax for noncompliance.

Part B – Original Medicare

‘Medical Insurance’ that covers doctors’ visits & outpatient care.

PARTIAL COVERAGE FOR:

Doctor Visits

Preventative Care

Outpatient Services

Lab Testing

Medical Equipment

Surgery

Medicare Part B covers general medical services, like lab tests, surgeries and doctors visits that are not part of an inpatient hospital stay that would ordinarily be covered under Part A.

More specifically, a claim will likely be covered under Part B if you have a claim that resulted from:

A service

The necessity to obtain a supply that related to the diagnosis or treatment of a medical condition

Obtained healthcare services to prevent illnesses or detect them at an early stage.

In addition, Medicare Part B will cover all but 20 percent of the cost for clinical research studies. This will only advance science and medical advancements to ensure that future patients have access to the best and most revolutionary healthcare services and prescription medicines. Part B will also cover all but 20 percent of the cost for emergency ambulance services to the hospital or transportation to a skilled nursing facility. However, the nearest medical facility must be able to provide the care that the patient needs.

Finally, Medicare Part B will pay for all but 20 percent of the cost for any durable medical equipment prescribed by the patient’s doctor for in-home use. Examples of durable medical equipment would be: crutches, braces, hospital beds, home oxygen equipment and supplies, wheelchairs, walkers and prosthetic devices.

Medicare Part B will cover all but 20 percent of the cost of outpatient mental healthcare, while Part A would cover the costs of any inpatient mental healthcare required. Part B also covers all but 20 percent of the costs of certain vaccination shots and particular types of prescription drugs that relate to various medical conditions. A full list of drugs covered by Part B can be found on Medicare.gov.

Similar to Part A, a person is supposed to sign up for Medicare Part B as soon as they reach the age requirement or the 25th month of receiving disability benefits. The required enrollment period starts three months before the person’s 65th birthday or 25th month anniversary. It includes the actual month of the birthday or anniversary and ends three months after the birthday and anniversary month, for a total of seven months.

Again, if they miss the initial deadline, a person can enroll during the open enrollment period (OEP), which lasts between January 1 and March 31. There will likely be a tax for not signing up for Medicare when first eligible. A person may also sign up for Medicare Part B outside of the OEP.

They can also sign up after first becoming eligible if they meet the requirements of a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). An SEP occurs if someone is receiving health insurance through their employer. Or, they can qualify for an SEP if: they sign up for Medicare Part B within eight months after their employment ends, or of their insurance through their former employer terminates, whichever comes first.

Again, any person who wishes to sign up for a Medicare Part B plan must do so through the SSA office. This agency handles the enrollment process for CMS.

MEDICARE PART C

Medicare Part C is also known as the Medicare Advantage Plan or “MA Plan”. It is provided by a corporate health insurance company in the form of an HMO or PPO plans. Any Medicare Part C plan offered by a private health insurance company must basically include the same coverage as Medicare Part A and B do individually. This is a requirement of Obamacare.

Part C – Medicare Advantage

‘Private Insurance’ in the form of an HMO or PPO plan that combines Medicare Parts A & B along with additional coverage.

OFTEN FULLY COVERS:

Dental Care

Vision Exams

Hearing Exams

OFTEN PARTIALLY COVERS:

Eye Glasses

Hearing Aids

Prescription Drugs

A person is required to sign up for a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan either: during the seven-month span around their 65th birthday or the seven-month span around the 25th month that they first started receiving disability benefits. The clock for this seven-month period begins three months before the month that the event (birthday, disability) occurs. It includes the actual month of the event and ends three months after the event.

If a person fails to enroll when they are first eligible they can enroll during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP). Open enrollment for Medicare Part C runs from October 15 through December 7. A person who is enrolled in Part C and wishes to switch to a Part A or Part B Medicare plan can do so from January 1 to February 14. This same time period applies to those who wish to switch to a different insurance company for their Medicare Part C plan.

There are some difference between Medicare Part C through a private insurance company and Medicare Part A and B, which is run through Medicare. In particular, Part C does not offer hospice care. Furthermore, some Part C plans cover more than Part A and B do. For instance, some Part C plans offer prescription drug coverage that is similar to a Part D plan. Some Medicare Part C plans could also offer dental and vision coverage, which is not included in a Part A or B plan.

Medicare gives insurance companies money each month, per member, to offset the overall cost of coverage to the participant. This is different than Original Medicare plans (Part A and B), which are managed by and claims are paid directly by the CMS, Therefore, the cost of Part C is typically as affordable as Part A and B.

Every Medicare Part C plan varies in cost and coverage, based on the insurance company. A participant should read their policy limits very carefully to determine things, such as whether a procedure is covered, whether you have a deductible and whether a doctor is within your plan’s network.

If a participant opts for a Part C plan that has a high-deductible plan, they may choose to sign up for a Medicare Savings Account (MSA). MSA is explained in further detail below.

MEDICARE PART D

Medicare Part D is used to cover prescription drug needs and is associated with a private health insurance company. A participant can also get prescription drug coverage through their Medicare Part C plan. The purpose of Part D is to subsidize the costs of generic and name brand prescription drugs.

Part D – Drug Coverage

‘Private Insurance’ that provides prescription drug coverage that may be included as part of a Medicare Part C plan.

COVERS SOME:

Generic Drugs

Brand Name Drugs

Specialty Drugs

DOES NOT COVER:

Vitamins & Minerals

Weight Loss Drugs

Non-FDA Drugs

The fact that certain drugs are discounted more than others also benefits the participant. They are then able to shop around and compare the prices of name brand and generic medications, based on what best fits their financial constraints.

A newly qualified Medicare participant must also sign up for their prescription drug coverage when they first become eligible. Their failure to do so will mean that the participant must pay a tax on top of their normal premiums when they do sign up outside of the enrollment period. The OEP for Medicare Part D for a person with Medicare Advantage runs from October 15 through December 7. Medicare Part D open enrollment for a person with traditional Medicare (Part A and Part B) runs from April 1 to June 1.

A person who wishes to switch their Medicare Part D plan to a different insurance company can do so from January 1 to February 14. Otherwise, Medicare requires the participant to sign up for a drug prescription plan (either through Part D or Part C). This enrollment period starts within three months before and after turning 65 years old or three months before and after the 25th month of receiving Social Security or RRB disability benefits.

Technically, the term of enrollment lasts seven full months and commences three months prior to the month that the Medicare enrollment necessity event is triggered. The month that the Medicare enrollment is triggered is month four; the three months subsequent to month four equate to seven months.

An important effect of Obamacare on participants’ prescription drug coverage is that it is designed to diminish the burden imposed by the “donut hole.” This is defined as a gap in coverage, whereby the participant must pay all of their prescription drug costs. A participant does not fall into the donut hole until they have reached a certain threshold. In 2017 this amount was $3,700, spent both individually for deductible payments and by the Part D plan. In 2018 the donut hole threshold is $3,750.

Under Obamacare, no Medicare Part D plan may impose a yearly deductible that exceeds $400.00 in 2017. In 2018, that amount increases by $5 to $405.00 a year. Generally, the deductible amount, if there is one at all, varies per drug plan.

After the participant reaches the coverage gap, Medicare Part D will pay only 49 percent of the price for generic drugs in 2017; the participant is responsible for the remainder.In 2018, Part D recipients will pay 44 percent of the cost for generic drugs. Under Obamacare, the amount that the Part D plan will pay will increase each year. And, the amount that the participant is responsible to pay will decrease until the year 2020, when the participant will only be responsible for 25 percent of the costs of generic medications. In 2018, Part D recipients will pay 44 percent of the cost for generic drugs.

Part D will pay for 60 percent of brand-name drugs and the participant is responsible for 40 percent of the costs during the period of time that the participant is within the donut hole in 2017. In 2018, Part D will pay for 65 percent of the cost of a brand name drug and the Part D recipient will pay for the remaining 35 percent. Although Plan D will cover a larger percentage of a brand name drug, the overall cost of these drugs is much higher than generics. As such, it may not be financially feasible for many people.

The participant will get out of the donut hole and can utilize a catastrophic insurance policy after they have paid a total of $4,950.00 in 2017 and $5,000 in 2018 out-of-pocket in a calendar year. The catastrophic coverage will pick up a larger majority of the cost of prescription drugs and will only pass a small coinsurance or copayment amount to the participant.

Medicare Plans Costs

What are the monthly premiums for the different types of Medicare health plans?

Free To $413.00 Cost per month for 2017

Medicare Part A Plan Cost

Medicare Part A is typically referred to as “premium-free” Part A because most enrollees don’t pay a monthly premium for coverage. If you or your spouse worked for 10 years and paid Medicare taxes along the way, then you most likely have the required work credits needed (40) to receive premium-free Part A. Enrollees are also eligible for premium-free Part A if they receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits or have an end-stage renal disease.

If, however, you did not pay Medicare taxes while working or haven’t earned enough credits, you will pay a premium for Part A. In 2017, premiums were $227 a month for people who earned 30 to 39 work credits and $413 a month for people who earned fewer than 30 credits. Premium rates for 2018 have not yet been released.

$134.00 To $428.60 Cost per month for 2017

Medicare Part B Plan Cost

Most beneficiaries (about 70 percent) pay $109 a month for Medicare Part B in 2017, but the actual cost of the program is $134 a month. The reason that most Part B enrollees only pay $109 is because the “hold harmless” rule under Social Security prevents them from paying more when the cost-of-living adjustment from Social Security payments doesn’t keep up with Part B premiums. This happened in 2016 and 2017, so most enrollees pay a lower amount. New enrollees and others not held harmless (about 30 percent of Medicare customers) will pay the standard rate, which is $134 in 2017. The deductible is the same for everyone. In 2017, it’s $183 for the year. Rates for 2018 have not yet been released.

For higher-income Part B beneficiaries, Medicare charges an income-based surcharge (called the “IRMAA”). In 2018, IRMAA surcharges will be based on a new income tier system that will effectively reclassify some enrollees into higher income brackets, forcing them to pay more than they might have in previous years. Surcharge amounts have not been announced for 2018, but the income tiers (based on annual earnings) are as follows:

Up to $85,000 ($170,000 for couples)

Between $85,001 and $107,000 ($170,001 to $214,000 for couples)

Between $107,001 and $133,500 ($214,001 to $267,000 for couples)

Between $133,501 and $160,000 ($267,001 to $320,000 for couples)

Over $160,000 (over $320,000 for couples)

Medicare calculates income based on tax returns from two years prior. For 2018 determinations, the government will use your 2016 tax return. You can appeal the decision if you can prove that your income from two years ago isn’t the same as it is now. For more information on appealing or disputing IRMAA charges, contact Medicare directly.

Free To $200+ Cost per month for 2017

Medicare Part C Plan Cost

As stated previously, the cost of a Part C plan will vary, depending on the company and type of plan chosen. You will need to compare plans and prices, depending upon each insured’s medical conditions and financial circumstances.

Remember that you must have Medicare Parts A & B in order to obtain a Medicare Advantage Part C plan.

For more information on Medicare Advantage Part C plans, or to receive a free price quote, please call one of our healthcare professionals at 1-800-810-1437TTY 711

Free To $76.20 Cost per month for 2017

Medicare Part D Plan Cost

The monthly premium for Medicare Part D also varies depending on plan and income level. As with Part B, income determinations are made using tax returns from two years prior, and the same income tiers that Part B has are used to determine additional charges for prescription drug coverage.

In 2017, if a person makes less than $85,000 on their individual tax return or less than $170,000 on the joint tax return, the cost of the Part D plan is included in the cost of the Part A and B premium. If the participant makes between $85,000 to 107,000 on their individual tax return or between $170,000 and $214,000 on their joint income tax return, the monthly premium for Part D will be $13.30, in addition to the Medicare Part A and B monthly premium.

Again, the costs of Part D will vary and increase as the participant’s annual income increases. Any participant that claimed more than $214,000 on their individual tax return and more than $428,000 on their joint income tax return will pay the highest premium for Part D, which is $76.20 a month, plus their monthly premiums.

The new premium rates for higher income people for 2018 has not yet been released.

If you do not enroll in Part D coverage when you first become eligible for Medicare, you will have to pay a penalty for the same number of months that you went without Part D coverage. The penalty amount in 2018 is $33.50 a month.

Supplemental Medicare Plans

Medigap Insurance

The monthly premiums for the different Medicare plans are generally seen as affordable to participants. However, what can be unaffordable and financially taxing is the deductibles and copayments. For this reason, many participants opt to take on Medigap insurance, in addition to their traditional Medicare plans. The cost of the Medigap policy varies, depending on the insurance company and the type of coverage offered.

Medigap policies are offered by private insurance companies and will cover things that Parts A and B do not cover. They also help deflect some of the costs of coinsurance, copays and deductibles incurred from Parts A and B. Medigap insurance will typically cover claims accrued outside of the United States as well.

If a person has a Medicare Savings Account (MSA), they cannot have a Medigap insurance policy. It is against the law for an insurance company to write a Medigap policy if the participant also has an MSA.

Medicare Savings Account

Some Medicare Part C plans offer high deductibles and will not begin full coverage of claims until the deductible is satisfied. In these instances, many participants also choose to take on a Medicare Medical Savings Account. An MSA is a special type of savings account designed to help pay high annual deductibles.

An MSA is set up with a private insurance company, and the actual account is set up with a bank of the plan’s choosing. The plan then deposits some money into the account. The participant is also encouraged to deposit money in the account as available. Money in the account is safe and secure and is also not taxed upon withdrawal, so long as the money is used to cover healthcare-related expenses, such as deductibles or copays. Participants are required to submit a special form with their annual tax return that explains how the money was used in order to avoid taxation.

At the end of the year, any money left over in the MSA will either roll over to the next year, or it can be withdrawn. If withdrawn and not used for healthcare-related purposes, the money will be taxed as income.

Are dental and vision care covered by Medicare?

Generally, neither dental nor eye care is covered under Medicare Part A or B. However, these benefits can be covered if there is some special type of care received during a hospital stay, in which case, it would fall under Part A coverage.

Some Medicare Part C plans may cover dental and eye care. If so, you can use money from a Medicare Medical Savings Account to cover the costs of dental and eye care. Otherwise, you may have to pay for a private dental or eye care insurance policy in order to get these types of services covered.

Why Medicare works with private insurance companies

In some instances, you may choose to have insurance through both Medicare and a private insurance company to maximize your coverage. When that happens, there are specific rules to determine which policy will pay a claim first. This is also called a “coordination of benefits.” Traditionally, the primary payer, which is oftentimes the private insurance company, will pay up to their policy limits on a claim. Then, they will send the remaining amount on the bill to the secondary payer, the Medicare policy.

For more information on supplemental Medicare plans, or to receive a free price quote, please call to speak with one of our healthcare professionals at 1-800-810-1437TTY 711

The History of Medicare

The concept and design of Medicare has remained the same for almost 50 years.

Under the leadership of President Lyndon B. Johnson, Congress passed Medicare in 1965. Medicare was part of the Social Security Act. It was designed to benefit and promote the health and wellness of citizens who were over the age of 65, without consideration of their income level and medical history. Prior to the creation of Medicare, senior citizens faced exorbitant medical bills and high health insurance premiums, often with little recourse in addressing these costs.

The concept of Medicare has remained the same for almost 50 years. However, the quality of coverage has increased over the years as amendments have been passed requiring Medicare to cover more for participants. For instance, hospice care only became a requirement in 1984, and the eligibility requirements were expanded in 2001 to allow persons younger than 65 who had certain disabilities and medical conditions to obtain Medicare coverage.

Medicare Part A is funded in large part by the payroll tax levied on employers and employees (the Medicare Tax). Part B and Part D costs are partially funded by the premiums paid by participants. The portion of the federal budget allocated to Medicare spending is growing each year as more BabyBoomers become eligible to enroll in Medicare. Additionally, the average life expectancy of the nation’s senior citizens is increasing thanks to medical and scientific advancements.

If you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to call and speak with one of our healthcare professionals. Available 24/7 at 1-800-810-1437TTY 711

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